Page 27 of Until Then

“Hayley . . .” Noah starts, but I wave to him, stepping farther away.

“I’ll see you at the wedding. Truce is on.”

He shoves his hands in the pockets of his dress pants. “Until then.”

It takes some nudging for my mom and Nan to leave, until they see Jasper.

Then, it takes even more pleading for my grandmother not to throw something at his head.

I leave, catching a final look at Noah, who’s already surrounded by more people. Mostly women. He’s looking nowhere but at me, a steely, almost dark look in his eyes.

He’s . . . something.

I hate that the sight of my ex has filled my frantic mind with all the reasons I would never fit in his world either. I can’t stop spiraling through the reasons he’d grow tired of me, or wake up dissatisfied until he cut me loose.

Strange, but I can’t help but feel like if Noah did the same as Jasper—a man I was with for nearly three years—my heart might crack until it was nothing but dust.

By the time I get home and lock myself in my room, I press a hand to my chest, slide down my door, and let myself break.

NINE

Hayley

More than one guy on the ranch whistles at me when I fumble out to my car. I feign a frown at each one. They laugh and tip the brims of their hats. I’ve known most of the men who work here since I was a kid.

They’re like a gaggle of rough-around-the-edges uncles.

Since Pops died, they’re nice to have. Truth be told, Justin, one of the burliest of the guys, cleaned one of his shotguns by the gate when Jasper kept trying to talk to me after the incident last year.

If Justin knew I’d be attending a wedding that apparently my ex-fiancé is also attending, he’d probably insist on going as my escort.

And no, he wouldn’t wear a tie. Not even for Briar.

A day after the dinner, Briar texted me in all caps.

Briar: HAZE I DIDN’T KNOW!

Me: Know what?

Briar: About Jasper. He’s Amberlyn’s plus one.

Me: And Amberlyn is?

Briar: Ty’s niece. My niece, I guess. I put him on the do-not-let-in list, and I’m pretty sure I’ve caused a civil war.

Me: What? Why?

Briar: Turns out, Amberlyn, bless her innocent heart, is infatuated. Along with Ty’s sister. They’re furious, and I’m sorry, but in all my fluster I let it slip that he’s a friend’s ex.

Briar: I didn’t say your name, but still, sorry. Anyway, they’re whining about it not being fair to punish one guest because of another.

Briar: I’ve got you, girl. So does Ty. Trust me, he doesn’t want Jasper by Amberlyn.

It took me a moment to respond after I read all her rambling. Then, I’m pretty sure I made a mistake. But this wedding isn’t about me.

Me: Don’t cause drama for me, Bry. Seriously, if he’s there, I’ll just avoid him. Don’t worry about me.

Briar: I don’t like him, though.

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